Our Future Depends on Us

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Lon Garrison, AASB Executive Director

It is the end of August, which means school has started, and once again, we begin the cycle of another school year. For many, especially students, this is usually a time of excitement and anxious optimism for what lies ahead. For students, it may be learning new things, making new friends, trying new activities, or returning to those activities and classes they love and reconnecting with friends. 

In years past, staff and school boards also felt a similar excitement and sense of renewal and opportunity.  I distinctly remember from my time on the Sitka school board. My hope is that it is still that way. However, I know there is great trepidation and concern about the work to be done with fewer resources. Many school boards, superintendents, principals, and teachers are struggling mightily. Many school districts suffer from acute staffing shortages and the consequences of increased class size or the elimination of entire programs due to budget cuts. It is hard, but Alaska’s future, our children’s and grandchildren’s future, depend on us to keep public education working for all students.  

I took a few moments to review my previous Commentary articles for the last several Augusts and, not surprisingly, found a similar theme: we face significant challenges, we have crucial work to do, and our students depend on us. Unfortunately, it feels a bit like the movie “Groundhog Day.” Here are a few titles:  

  • Are you Committed? – August 2019
  • Hard Choices – August 2021
  • It will take all of Us – August 2022  

Enough is enough!  This repeating cycle of the state of Alaska refusing to deliberately “invest” in a public education system is crushing us. We must change the legislative and gubernatorial behavior that has created a culture of spending versus investing in public education. 

Former Commissioner Johnson, the State Board of Education, and many education organizations (AASB included) worked hard to create Alaska’s Education Challenge, the state’s educational strategic plan. The strategic plan is a good one, and many have used it to change some behaviors and practices affecting cultural changes in our education system. What is needed now is a culture shift by the legislature and the governor that supports public education through sustainable, predictable, and sufficient funding that ensures an excellent education for every student every day.  

At the AASB Summer Board of Directors meeting, the Board spent a full day learning and discussing all options to ensure a significant, appropriate, and veto-proof increase in the BSA enacted by the 33rd Legislature. The Board is committed to supporting this effort fully, and all options are being considered to make sure Alaska’s constitutional obligation is met. AASB staff has begun working on a full-court press in this interim period to mobilize parents and guardians, communities, businesses, school boards, staff, and any other education-associated organization to make it clear to the legislature and the governor that this must be done. In the coming weeks, we will need the local leadership of each school board to help move this campaign forward. AASB will be reaching out to ask that local boards engage with their state representatives and senators, connect with your local communities and enlist their help, and encourage local businesses to stand up and be heard about the need for an educated workforce. Our voices must be louder and more persuasive than ever. AASB will be there to help!   You may remember that last November, the AASB Board of Directors adopted three simple and succinct legislative priorities:

  • Sufficient and Sustainable Education Funding
  • Recruitment and Retention of Teachers, Administrators, and Staff
  • Student Wellness and Safety

A one-page handout of the 2023 priorities and an accompanying one-page reference sheet of supporting resolutions can be found at the following link: Legislative Advocacy Resources.  These priorities will continue to be our focus, most especially an increase in the BSA.  

Alaska’s future literally does depend on us. For many districts, it does feel as though they have fallen off the “fiscal cliff,” and the reality is they may have. Others are approaching it. The question for all of us supporting a free and equitable excellent education for every student every day is whether or not we can be depended upon to ensure that ideal continues. Please be prepared to stand up for all our children and to help ensure Alaska’s future.  

Gunalchéesh,  

Lon Garrison